During the orientation we have an instructor meet and greet over pizza. Instructors will tell the students a little bit about their background, why they enjoy teaching at our college, what the rules of engagement/expectations are and then will ask the students what they think they will need in to do in order to be successful while going to school. Then we get answers back and share positive and negative examples of that. The instructors joke with one another and the students to try to keep the atmosphere light and friendly.
Do you have any constructive criticism for me on this one? How we might improve our meet and greet? Questions to ask, questions not to ask? How to structure it more naturally or even just with more structure in general?
Thank you,
Arielle Schram
Susan,
We try to use a myriad of tactics just in our orientation day alone: staff meet and greet, instructors having lunch with new students, ice-breaker games, student success skills class, how to manage your student loans while in school, and a few other classes. My fear however, is that in so doing we might be inciting even more fear in our students by the way that we do these things.
One specific tactic that we use is an ice-breaker that I am now wondering if it is working against us. The students pair up with another student (whom they just met), ask questions about their work history, family background, where they are from, their goals for their duration at our institution and finally their dream vacation. At which point, the entire faculty come in and the student is asked to stand up (either where they are at or at the front of the class) and introduce the rest of the faculty to the student they just interviewed (their new best friend).
My question regarding this ice-breaker is this: Given the module material and understanding that social acceptance as well as self comparison to other students hinders the desire to return to school, would you see our ice-breaker as something that might be backfiring?
~Arielle Schram
Matthew,
What a fantastic idea. Our school has been mulling around the idea of trying to implement something like this but have yet to come up with something that would yeild the desired results. I think your tactic is great. I am going to begin implementing it at our school if you don't mind. I like the notion that it unifies and normalizes. I think this will help further develop our mentoring program that is in its infancy.
Thank you,
Arielle Schram
We start off with an ice breaker activity in orientation to help the students be more comfortable interacting with each other. It gives them the opportunity to learn a little about each of their classmates and what generally happens is that they realize they all have similar concerns and obstacles.
We also continually mention our (the directors and staff) open door policy. We explain several times over that it is OK to come to us for any issue.
Each department head gets up and speaks at orientation. At the end of each presentation, we ask questions regarding the information just presented and then hand out prizes for the correct answers (and give little prizes to anyone who raises their hand, even if the answer is wrong)
We focus heaviliy on the classroom experience and career services which usually answers most of their questions.
This is a WONDERFUL thing! Taking pictures of the students in a cap and gown at orientation really sets the tone that they will be successful.
Susan
Great!
Students are fearful of what their instructors will be like, so putting a face to a name and letting students know they are 'real people' is always a helpful thing to do.
We do something similar for an “ice breaker” at our school during orientation. The students throw around a beach ball to each other and whoever catches the ball has to share a brief synopsis of their background, reason for attending school, and goals. The students usually find that they share commonalities in these areas.
During the orientation process the Education Department takes pictures of the students for their student-identification cards and a picture of the student in cap and gown. Seeing the cap and gown photo helps to inspire and remind new students to stay true to their commitment to finish the program.
We also utilize this time to speak with the students and their support groups. Good healthy support groups help to encourage students to stay in school. Sometimes lessening the fears of the support groups assists is lessening the fears of the students as well.
Hi Susan....I find that at orientation, having some faculty pop in and say hi alleviates any initial fears...Introducing staff members is also helpful...it puts a face with the name/position.
I like to present a good overview of the education/academic dept. While I stress work is involved, I also mention "fun" is a component.
we have a "breaking the ice" game that has a list of quesitons. They need to talk to other students and meet them to get the answers to these questions. It helps them realize that they aren't alone in their decision to return to school.
Peggy--
It is important to bring up obstacles and fears, as most students have similar ones. This lets them know they aren't the only ones experiencing those particular fears. It also provides them with vehicles to resolve them as they arise.
Susan
Kathryn--
Very impressive! That is wonderful that you meet individually with each student. I image you learn all types of useful information to assist the students during those meetings.
Susan
Susan --
This is a great idea as well...putting a face in front of them again the first week as a 'go to' person for issues.
What is on your questionnaire?
Susan
Bryon--
As you have pointed out, helping students build a support system is extremely important. It shoulds as if your students are relocating to attend, in which case including information on community resources as well as providing them with individuals who will support them is critical.
Susan
Eagle techs tell about their fears
Students meet the entire staff
We tour them through the facility
We utilize a "Scavenger Hunt" of sorts to urge the students to meet all the key staff & faculty members. Invent a questionnaire paper that sends the students around the school to find the answers to the questions. The staff or faculty member has to sign the paper verifying that the student came by their office and met them. Enter all completed surveys in a raffle for some sort of prize to encourage participation or have some little prize at each office that the student can collect as they go along. Fun and effective.
At our Orientation, we introduce every director to the new students as a group. Each director then gives an overview of the role that they will play in the student's learning experience.
As the Director of Education at our school, I meet individually with each student and assist with getting their books, getting them to their first class, introducing them to their instructor etc.
Currently the school has several people come in and talk to students during the first week. We are looking at adding more discussion with students during the first three classes, in order to help with informing the students of who what when and where are available to them.
I think this is very important. Students are new to the area, and do not have anyone around to help them. In introducing staff to the students who can assist them when they have a concern, is very important in my opinion
The first week of class I go into every classroom and introduce myself and let them know of all the resources available to them. i.e tutoring, resource center/library, student success center. I then have them complete a questionnaire so that I can prevent any crisis that may happen in the future.
